Merino sends Spain past Belgium into World Cup semi-final against France

LOS ANGELES: Mikel Merino came off the bench to score late as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 on Friday and moved into the World Cup semi-finals, where they will face France in Dallas on Tuesday.

The decisive moment at SoFi Stadium arrived in the 88th minute after Belgium's substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold a low effort from Pau Cubarsi. Merino reacted first to the rebound and struck home, giving Spain another late knockout-stage winner after his stoppage-time goal against Portugal on Monday.

Spain had gone ahead through Fabian Ruiz, but Belgium responded before the break when Charles De Ketelaere scored against the run of play. The victory keeps Spain's tournament run going and sets up a last-four meeting between the European champions and a France side led by Kylian Mbappe.

Spain control, Belgium respond

Belgium brought Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku back into the starting side, but their preparations were disrupted when captain Youri Tielemans suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up. With Amadou Onana already absent because of a ruptured ACL, Belgium were left with a near second-choice midfield against a Spain team that quickly took charge of possession.

Ruiz, selected in place of Pedri, linked well with Rodri early on as Spain established control, while Lamine Yamal sent an early curling effort just wide. Belgium still posed a threat through Doku, who cut in from the left to supply De Ketelaere after the striker had scored twice against the United States earlier in the week.

Spain broke through on the half-hour. Pedro Porro exchanged passes with Yamal before pulling the ball back from near the byline to Dani Olmo. Thibaut Courtois parried Olmo's shot, but Ruiz was first to the loose ball and finished to make it 1-0.

Spain then dictated play for long stretches, moving the ball around Belgium's half with authority in front of a crowd that included Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Noel Gallagher. Belgium, however, stayed in the contest and equalised in the 41st minute. De Bruyne released Timothy Castagne on the right, and his cross was met by De Ketelaere, who timed his run well and got the better of Pau Cubarsi to head in. It was the first goal Spain had conceded at this World Cup.

Belgium nearly struck again before halftime after breaking from a Spain corner, but Olmo just managed to intercept De Ketelaere's pass intended for a clear Doku.

Late drama after Courtois injury

Yamal grew more influential after the interval and almost created a chance for Mikel Oyarzabal with a dangerous delivery that Courtois did well to stop by rushing out. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia then introduced Romelu Lukaku, who had scored from the bench in three consecutive matches, as the game became more open.

There was also a Belgian appeal when a cross struck Rodri's arm, but the contact was judged accidental. Oyarzabal later forced a save from a tight angle.

Belgium's problems deepened after 70 minutes when Courtois left the field in tears because of injury. He was replaced by 24-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper Lammens, who was making his World Cup debut in difficult circumstances.

That change proved decisive near the end. Cubarsi drove a low shot from distance, Lammens spilled it, and Merino finished the rebound to send Spain through. Belgium still had a chance in the closing stages when Alexis Saelemaekers went around Unai, but he could not pick out Lukaku in front of an open goal.

At the final whistle, Courtois came back onto the pitch to console a distraught Lammens, while several members of Belgium's ageing Golden Generation were left standing in disbelief. Spain's players celebrated their progress before turning their focus to the semi-final against France.